One of our corresponding members, a man of great knowledge who
holds scientific titles that do not preclude him from believing that
we have a soul that outlives the body. A soul that remains errant in space
after death and can still communicate with the living ones. This is notwithstanding
the fact that he is a good medium himself and entertains
conversations with creatures from beyond the grave. He addresses the
following letter to us:

“Dear Sir,
“You may find appropriate to accommodate the following
fact in your Review:”

“Some time ago I was a juror. The court was supposed to try
a young man, just coming out of adolescence, accused of having
murdered an elderly lady under horrible circumstances. The accused
confessed, giving details of the horrible crime with such a
cold blood and cynicism that made the audience tremble.”

“It was, however, easy to predict the fact that attenuating circumstances
would be presented in his favor, considering not only
his age, the absolute lack of education and stimulus given by his
family, but also the fact that he was led to a state of rage by injury
and provocation.”

“I wanted to consult with the victim with respect to the degree
of his culpability. I called her during one session by a mental
evocation. She made me notice that she was present so that I offered
to be at her services. Here the transcript of the conversation
we had – I, through thoughts, and she in writing:

• “What do you think about your murderer?”

• “It is not me who is going to accuse him.”

• “Why?”

• “Because he was led to the crime by a man who had flirted with
me fifty years ago, and as he was not reciprocated by me, he
swore vengeance. After his death he maintained the desire for
vengeance, taking advantage of the accused dispositions, inspiring
in him the desire to kill me.”

• “How do you know that?”

• “Because he told me himself, as soon as I got to the world where
I live.”

• “I understand your reservations, considering the stimulus that
your murderer did not repel as he should and could. But don’t you
think that the criminal inspiration, which he voluntarily obeyed,
wouldn’t have the same power over him, had he not fed or entertained
the feelings of envy, hatred and vengeance against you and
your family, for a long time?”

• “Certainly. Without all that he would be more capable of resisting.
That is why I say that the one who wanted vengeance took
advantage of the young man’s dispositions. You must understand
that he would not have addressed someone who would be prepared
to resist.”

• “Does he enjoy his vengeance?”

• “No, since he sees that it will cost him much. Furthermore, instead
of doing me harm he did me a service, allowing me to enter
early in the world of the spirits, where I am happier. Thus, it was
a bad action with no positive result to him.”

“Attenuating circumstances were admitted by the jury, based
on the reasons indicated above, and the death penalty was ruled
out.”

“A moral observation of great importance must be pointed
out regarding the case above. It is necessary to conclude that man
must be vigilant with respect to the slightest malevolent thought
and even with respect to his feelings, however subtle they may be,
since they may well attract evil and corrupted spirits, exposing
oneself, weak and unarmed, to their guilty inspirations. It is an
open door to evil, unaware of the danger.”

“It was then with a profound knowledge of man and the spiritual
world that Jesus said: “But I say to you that everyone who looks
at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with
her in his heart.” (Mathew 5:28)